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2009 NBA offseason

The 2009 NBA offseason.

A chronological guide to the transactions and decisions surrounding the 2009 NBA offseason.

Open the full season →Every offseason by year

In the order it happened

The transaction timeline

The draft, major signings, trades and roster decisions are ordered chronologically. Complete draft boards, trade packages and free-agent jersey changes are embedded at the moment they happened.

  1. June 25 · NBA Draft

    Blake Griffin leads a draft that changes the next era →

    The Clippers chose Griffin first, Memphis took Hasheem Thabeet second, and the board then delivered James Harden and Stephen Curry—two guards who would rewrite modern offense in entirely different ways.

    The complete draft board is preserved beside this moment →

    Draft board

    2009 NBA

    01
    1

    First overall selection

    Blake Griffin

    Los Angeles Clippers

    Open every pick

  2. July 8 · Free agency

    Ron Artest joins the defending champion Lakers

    Artest replaced Trevor Ariza on the wing, adding strength, defensive versatility and the personality that would become inseparable from Los Angeles's 2010 title defense.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    36Free agencyJuly 8, 2009From HOUHOUARTEST96To LALLALARTEST37Artest joins the defending championsLos Angeles replaced Trevor Ariza with a stronger, more physical defensive wing as it prepared to defend its title.Houston Rockets → Los Angeles LakersOpen offseason →

  3. July 8 · Free agency

    Trevor Ariza takes a larger role in Houston

    Ariza parlayed his breakout championship run into a multiyear deal with the Rockets, who needed wing scoring after injuries changed the Yao Ming–Tracy McGrady timeline.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    37Free agencyJuly 8, 2009From LALLALARIZA3To HOUHOUARIZA1Ariza leaves a champion for a larger Houston roleThe Rockets gave the 24-year-old wing a multiyear deal and a larger offensive opportunity after his breakout postseason.Los Angeles Lakers → Houston RocketsOpen offseason →

  4. July 9 · Free agency

    Hedo Türkoğlu leaves Orlando for Toronto

    After serving as Orlando's late-game organizer on a Finals run, Türkoğlu signed with the Raptors in one of the summer's largest contracts, though the fit lasted only one season.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    38Free agencyJuly 9, 2009From ORLORLTÜRKOĞLU15To TORTORTÜRKOĞLU26Türkoğlu cashes in on Orlando's Finals runToronto signed Orlando's late-game organizer to one of the summer's richest contracts in an attempt to add size and creation beside Chris Bosh.Orlando Magic → Toronto RaptorsOpen offseason →

  5. July 9 · Free agency

    Rasheed Wallace gives Boston another frontcourt option

    The Celtics added Wallace to a veteran group still chasing a second title, expanding their spacing and size before another run to the Finals.

    Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

    39Free agencyJuly 9, 2009From DETDETWALLACE36To BOSBOSWALLACE30Wallace joins Boston's veteran title chaseBoston added Wallace's shooting, size and defensive intelligence to a frontcourt already led by Kevin Garnett.Detroit Pistons → Boston CelticsOpen offseason →